Lesbian mayor named one of TIME’s 100 most influential

Houston Mayor Annise Parker joined the likes of Nancy Pelosi, Glenn Beck, and Barack Obama in the “Leaders” section of The 2010 TIME 100, an annual listing of the most influential people of the year.

Described as a “demure, pearl-wearing lesbian businesswoman with three kids and a longtime partner,” Parker is credited for her savvy in addressing Houston’s $100 million budget shortfall that she’s inherited upon taking office.

“I feel like a mom planning a family budget,” she says. “We’re going to make sure we still have plenty of healthy vegetables, but we might have to cut back on dessert for a while.”